Joe Gibbs Expresses Heartbreak Over Denny Hamlin’s Devastating Phoenix Defeat
In a blistering showdown at Phoenix Raceway that left fans buzzing and hearts shattered, Joe Gibbs found himself grappling with profound disappointment after Denny Hamlin’s crushing loss during the championship race. The storied team owner opened up about the painful outcome in an exclusive interview with NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass, revealing the emotional toll the race took on everyone involved.
The high-stakes 319-lap event was a nail-biter, featuring an intense rivalry between Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, with both teams launching from the coveted front row. Denny Hamlin, who led a significant portion of the race, saw his dreams of victory dashed due to a late-race wreck involving William Byron that drastically altered the race’s dynamics. While Kyle Larson executed a savvy two-tire pit strategy that catapulted him ahead, Hamlin faced a setback by opting for a full four-tire change. Ultimately, this pivotal decision cost him dearly, relegating the No. 11 driver to a sixth-place finish—three positions behind Larson.
This race marked a bittersweet milestone for Hamlin, as it was his first appearance in the final four during the Next Gen Era, and he was on the brink of capturing his first championship title after two decades in the Cup Series. Reflecting on the agonizing outcome, an emotional Joe Gibbs lamented, “We really did this. It’s a heartbreak for everybody here, so I don’t think there’s much else you can say about it.”
Adding to the heartbreak, JGR’s Chase Briscoe faced his own misfortunes, finishing a dismal 18th after a cut tire derailed what could have been a solid performance. With Briscoe starting outside the top-10 and momentarily climbing to seventh place by Stage 2, the tire issue was a crushing blow to his ambitions. Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney from Team Penske emerged victorious, winning by a razor-thin margin of just 0.097 seconds.
In a poignant moment captured on pit road post-race, Joe Gibbs approached an inconsolable Denny Hamlin, offering words of gratitude and support that resonated deeply. “I’m proud of ya…thank you. Thank you for the years,” Gibbs said, encapsulating the respect and admiration he holds for the veteran driver.
In a surprising twist of emotions, William Byron expressed his own regrets about the late-race caution that altered the course of the race. “I’m just super bummed that it was a caution obviously. I hate that. Hate it for Denny. I hate it for the 11 team,” Byron stated, acknowledging the respect he has for Hamlin and the impact of his actions. “If I had known what tire it was, known that a tire was going down before I got to the corner, I would have done something different. Yeah, you just feel like a passenger. It sucks,” he lamented.
Despite the bitter end, Denny Hamlin concluded the season as the most winning driver, amassing an impressive 60 career wins and solidifying his spot in the top-10 all-time wins list. Across 35 starts, he boasted an average finish of 13.9, including 18 top-10 finishes, 14 top-5s, and five poles, proving that he’s still a formidable force in the sport. Furthermore, he stands as one of only three drivers to have completed over 1,000 laps in the lead, a testament to his enduring prowess on the track.
As the dust settles on a heartbreaking Phoenix finale, both Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin must now regroup and reflect on what could have been, while the rest of the NASCAR world watches and waits for the next thrilling chapter to unfold.








